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A new 3D printed replica of King Richard III's skull has been loaned by Loughborough University to an exhibition in Leicester charting the discovery of his remains in the city.

Experts from the university made the model using scan data, this was then entered into a computer and 'printed' using a 3D printer, a technique that uses a high power laser to fuse small particles of materials into a mass that has a three-dimensional shape. Click here to see a 3D printer in action.

The new skull (left) next to the original version Credit: Andrew Weekes Photography

This is the second replica to be made and put on display at the Leicester City Council's exhibition Richard III: Leicester’s Search for a King’ at The Guildhall. This model though is said to be significantly more detailed, allowing visitors to clearly see the fatal injuries the king sustained.

Professor Russell Harris hands over the new skull to Senior Curator Laura Hadland

Professor Russell Harris, is leading Loughborough’s involvement in the project. He said: “We are absolutely delighted with the new skull. It is incredibly more detailed than the previous version, and will be invaluable for future studies.”